Bismarck weekly tribune., 1887-01-28

pense fund. provided for its maintenance
and equipment, under section IL, chapter
66, laws of 1885:
Bulletin, first four issues 155 60
bulletin, Nos. to ~ inclusive. 1,448 05
Stationery and printing: ng:............... 282 IS
General Office supplies. including post
Office furniture and fixtures s s o. o.
Expenses On account Of New Orleans; Orleans '' ''
exhibit. ;:..:....:....... 14s %
Compiling CENSUS statistics. -: :....... Ill 10
Sundrles, drayage, express. telegraph,
cssd;t ss9; balance: 80 e e
Total. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. s4,ooo 90
lNOTE-Separate accounts are alsp sub
mitted, showing all receipts and diSburse-
ments of the advertising department Of
the Bulletin, and the plStage account, in
Guiding map sales, etc.
BUREAU OF STATISTICS.
The use made of statistical information
is of the greatest value, and to all con-
cerned. Not only does it furnish the best
Of material for the substructure of fact and
figures ON which the strongest claims of
Dakota for immigration and new growth
may rest, but it is of the highest conse-
quence and value to the territory or state
itself, in taking note of its own progress
and keeping step, as we may say, in the
line of counties, which should be frequent
ly inspected, efficiently drilled, and by mu-
tual effort and example brought up in the
greatest degree possible to the standard of
proficiency which marks the highest
growth of the commonwealth.
\ r
The present law, which was put in opera
ton as thoroughly as could be during the
past year. has merely paved the way, and
the experience gained Hereunder will he
of the greatest assistance in tine future. as
it has been of inestimable value in the sug.
gestiOns which, springing from it, are to be
embodied in carefully drawn statute,
now being prepared for submission to the
legislature, and to which further reference
is made below.
Returns of agricultural and other statis-
from over forty counties, as shown in the
accompanying tables. These returns are
not wholly satisfactory under some heads
Of itemlZed information, rendered difficult
to obtain in many cases, growing out OF the
refusal or neglect of farmers and others to
properly observe the law;
The information compiled in the table
relating to tree culture, while not as COM
plete as it ought to be, and possibly lncor-
rect in instances where only partial re-
turns were secured, is particularly gratify-
ing
enough to show the wisdom of not repeal
ing, but of vigorously amending, the tim
Der culture law now before congress-
The present law would be satisfactory
enough with regard to the compilation by
county clerks and auditors of Statements
OF county Indebtedness, if those county Off
GERS would be little more prompt, as a
class, having but to devote a few hours Of
their time. twice year. to the task of fill
ing out the blanks provided them for the
purpose. .>
The tables given. showing the county in
debtedness and financial condition of each
section of the territory, as made up in
clude the partial returns made by the coun-
ties designated, six months previous to the
date Of the current statement.
.
The following recommendations and
suggestions are respectfully submitted:
The business ard responsibility of col
lecting all the county statistics required
should be attached to the office of record
kept by the county clerk or auditor of each
county.
In case registry of deaths, births and
marriages is provided for by law, 1t would
be proper to fix suitable fees for the keep
ing OF the same in the clerks Office, and
this form of compensation would be ade
Quate for the purpose.
Assessors should he required to collect
the agricultural statistics provided for and
designated. at the time OF taking the reg
ular annual assessment, or so nearly as
possible, and make their returns within
specified time to the county clerk or aud
itOr of each organized county.
There should be provided. according to
the law passed by the legislature, by and
in each county, a certain reasonable COM
pensatiOn for the extra time and expenses
incurred in the collection of these statistics
by the assessors. and their compilation by
the county clerks and auditor.
The spirit of these and other suggestions
looking to the same end will be carried out
in the new statute to be offered during the
session of the legislature as substitute
for the existing law.
The number of blanks of all kinds fur
nished by this Office for the purpose of COL
several thousand blanks on hand, amounts
to 10000.
DAKOTA WEATHER SERVICE.
The organization of the Dakota Weather
Service in connection with this office was
during the summer of 1886, by
aud through the kind assis-
tance of the CHIEF signal officer, United
States army.
y
The accompanying diagram will show
the relative location of the stations
designated above, with respect to the area
and general surface of Dakota Territory.
4
The monthly reports furnished are made
good use of in the publications of the
office, by way of adding the statistics of
the weather to the other information sent
abroad re pecting the soil, climate, etc.,
of Dakota.
The actual rain fall, with the exact facts
about the distribution of rainfall and
other characteristics OF the weather as it is
are laid before the reader.
who is asked ~ take very little for granted
on this head.
=
The tables given herewith present the
summaries, respectively, for
April, July, October and January, 1885,